The driver can split the amount of hours of daily off duty time into sleeper berth periods. The off duty time must meet the following requirements to qualify as eligible sleeper berth periods:
(See below for team drivers)
- Driver must rest in the sleeper berth during the off duty times. Only time spent in the sleeper berth counts towards the sleeper berth period (i.e. any other off-duty time does not count towards the sleeper berth period).
- Each sleeper berth period must be greater than or equal to 2 hours.
- If a driver spends more than 30 minutes but less than 2 hours in a sleeper berth, the time counts toward the daily off-duty requirement, but it does not count towards an eligible sleeper berth period. In addition, the driver must include this ineligible sleeper berth time as part of elapsed time (work shift).
- Total for 2 eligible sleeper berth periods (rest periods) must be greater than or equal to 8 or 10 hours depending on the specific rule set.
Drivers have the freedom to split the total amount of required sleeper berth time in any way as long as each sleeper berth period is at least 2 hours and the total for more than one period equals to at least 8 hours or 10 hours as specified by the active rule set.
The main advantage of the sleeper berth is that instead of having to stop for a core rest period (8 consecutive hours off duty) plus 2 additional hours off-duty time, a driver can split the core rest period between 2 sleeper berth periods (rest periods) and drive in between the periods.
Note the Daily limits when using sleeper berth
Even though the driver has increased flexibility with the sleeper berth, the driver must continue to follow the daily limits:
- Stop driving after 13 hours driving time in a “day”.
- Stop driving after 14 hours on-duty time in a “day”.
- At least 10 hours off-duty in a “day” and none of the off-duty time can be deferred to the next day.
Note the Work Shift limits when using sleeper berth
In addition to the daily limits, a driver must comply with the work shift limits. See each active rule set for the specified minimum and maximum hours.
Splitting off duty time into sleeper berth for team drivers
If more than one driver intends to drive the commercial vehicle, the sleeper berth rules for team drivers apply.
- Each sleeper berth period must be greater than or equal to 4 hours
- If a driver spends more than 30 minutes but less than 4 hours in a sleeper berth, the time counts toward the daily off duty requirement, but it does not count towards an eligible sleeper berth period. In addition, this ineligible sleeper berth time will be included as part of elapsed time (work shift).
- The total for 2 eligible sleeper berth periods (rest periods) must be greater than or equal to 8 hours.
Ref: Alberta Motor Transport Association, Alberta Reference Guide for Hours of Service Training Development, June 23, 2008.